Thursday, December 29, 2016

Working in the field of
cancer research have attracted many people coming up to me and ask: “Is there a cure for cancer yet”, “I heard meditation would help heal the body
from this disease” or “Have you read
this article about this therapy that would put drug companies out of business”.
The last one I’ve seen a lot in particular, and it sounds like a click-bait link
that wants to make you to believe treating cancer is that simple. To help better understand where we are at
scientifically, and current knowledge and treatment for this disease, I thought
I repost this “Top 5 age-old cancer
myths debunked” article from Leap Magazine last winter. As a
scientist, we are doing our best to uncover some of the unanswered questions
about cancer, in hopes that our discovery can one day be translated for
clinical use, and innovate better treatment to fight this disease. Here are the
top 5 most common myths about cancer and the actual facts behind them.

1.Cancer is
a modern and man-made disease.

In
reality, cancer has existed as long as humans have. Egyptian and Greek
researchers wrote about it thousands of years ago, and researchers have since
found signs of cancer in a 3,000-year-old skeleton. Michaela Binder, a PhD
student at Durham University, found the hole-riddled skeleton, which dates back
o around 1,200 BC, at the Amara West site in northern Sudan. Binder’s finding
is of particular interest as it is 2,000 years older than the previously confirmed
instance of the disease. The fact is, the biggest factor for contracting cancer
is age – because more people are living longer, and we have eradicated many
infectious diseases, the DNA in people’s cells gets damaged over time, leaving
them more susceptible to getting cancer.

2.Cancer
cells like sugar.

Some
people believe that cancer feeds on sugar, and therefore it should be removed
from all patients’ diets. In actuality, all cells, whether cancerous or not,
use glucose for energy. The body does not choose which cells get fuel, but
instead converts all the carbohydrates we eat to glucose, fructose and simple
sugars. Tissues then use them for energy as needed. Researchers are currently
working to discover the difference in energy use of cancerous versus healthy
cells, and are trying to use the data to develop better cancer treatments.
Experts say that while limiting sugar is part of a healthy diet. It’s not
accurate to say sugar in our food specifically feeds cancer cells.

3.They have
found a cancer cure.

While
everything from coffee enemas to cannabis has been touted as a miracle cure, no
such salve has been proven to eradicate cancer. Often, success are difficult to
discern – not knowing the “patient’s” medical diagnosis, stage of disease or
even outlook, if they have actually been cured or even had cancer to begin
with. There is also no mention of the people who may have tried the “cures” and
died. Researchers say thi sis the reason why peer-reviewed, rigorous lab
research and clinical trials are necessary – to determine whether a prospective
treatments is safe and effective, and that this is the standard to which all
cancer treatments should be held.

4.Drug
companies are keeping the cure a secret.

Almost
everyone has heard the claim hat a cure for cancer has actually been found, but
pharmaceutical companies are making so much money off the disease, they are
suppressing it. But logic would say that it would be in pharmaceutical
companies’ best interest to reveal the cure or drug, with huge sales of the
antidote sure to follow. And one can’t discount the fact that people who work
for pharmaceutical companies and doctors are just that: people. They can and do
get cancer, and some have even die from it. To say that they are the ones behind a cure being revealed is a bit difficult to believe when viewed in this light.

5.Cancer
treatment kills rather than cure.

It’s true
that the side-effects of chemotherapy, radiation or surgery are real and
unpleasant, but it’s important to remember that they are designed to kill cancer
cells. Unfortunately, that sometimes means affecting healthy cells too. The
later the stage a cancer has reached before attempting treatment, the less a
chance that it will work. Surgery is still considered the best treatment for
cancer, but it needs to be diagnosed early enough to be effective. Radiotherapy
is known to cure more people than cancer drugs, but drugs and chemo do play an
important part in cancer treatment, whether it’s to prolong a life or, in some
cases, cure the disease.

xx Do the things you are passionate about; Learn from ones
who inspire you; Strive to become an expert at what you do xxBinzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

I've
arrived at my first stop, Tampa Florida to pursue an exciting cancer research
career ahead of me. Many have asked before I left Canada if that means I am
putting my passion for fashion behind. After all, Florida isn't exactly the
place I want to be to work in fashion. But HEY, if I could make it in Canada, I
can probably make it anywhere. My appraoch? Is to first discover like
like-minded and unique aesthetic individuals around the area. Through doing
some research on different blogs and social media, I found Nicholas Trobiano, a city & style blogger based out of Tampa
Bay. As a "GQ Insider", he's definitely the guy to go to here if you
want to discuss about gentlemen's fashion and luxury lifestyle. I've had the
opportunity to interview him; My very first interview segment in this new
adventure in Florida.

Who is Nicholas
Trobiano?

I am
a city and style blogger in Tampa, Florida. I grew up in South Florida before
moving to Tampa in 2008 to study marketing and journalism at The University of
South Florida. I first started my blog, nicholastrobiano.com, as a creative outlet of my job in marketing. I
needed a space where I could create and tell stories that reflected my vision
rather than someone else’s. At the time, very few bloggers wrote about life in
Tampa Bay, so I saw it as an opportunity to uncover the interesting,
architectural, and sartorial places around me. So far, it has worked.

How would you describe your
style?

My style is simple and monochromatic. Most people who know me
think I only wear all-black. But in truth, I think all black makes me more creative.
Sure, it is easy to match the color, but to combine unique cuts or interesting
fabrics and hardware is much more interesting. That is where I get creative.

Do you have a particular
favorite brand(s) or designer(s) and why?

Tom Ford is my biggest inspiration and is incomparable, in my
opinion. But other designers including Kris Van Assche, Olivier Rousteing,
Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior.

What is the fashion scene like
in Tampa?

Tampa style is hard to pin down. It’s a mix of Urban
Outfitters, lululemon, and J Crew. There is an overwhelming preppy-vibe that is
heavily influenced by leisure and athleticwear. In my opinion, Tampa men have
some work to do. As convenient as gym shorts may be may be, wicking fabrics
shouldn’t dominate anyone’s closet.

Do you find it difficult to
exhibit personal fashion in sunny places such as Tampa all year round?

I certainly yearn for options since being outdoors in
anything other than a swimsuit and tank top is typically a chore, but fortunately,
I rarely leave the air conditioning. So I am able to wear my self-imposed “uniform”
of a all-black shirts, denim, and boots all year.

If we were to travel to Tampa,
what would is the first thing you recommend (shopping or food)?

Coffee. It is a bit of an unknown secret, but Tampa has a
vast coffee scene that continues to grow. My suggestions would be Buddy Brew
Coffee in Tampa or Bandit Coffee Co. in St. Petersburg. Both serve great brews
and have exceptionally friendly staffs. Plus, their music selections are always
spot-on.

Between New York, London, Milan
and Paris, which fashion week(s) do you like the most?

I love the city of New York, but I would have to say London
Fashion Week Men’s is my favorite of them all. I am most excited to see what
happens in London, not necessarily for the ready-to-wear pieces because quite
frankly I am not sure how much of them I would wear personally. But unlike the
other cities that venerate suits, top coats and traditional menswear garments,
London champions the non-conformists who push the limits of menswear. Just look
at what Bobby Abley has done over the past few seasons. Can you imagine him
showing his collection alongside Hermès or Saint Laurent? I cannot.

Do you have upcoming projects
you like to share with my readers?

I am working closely with some exciting partners to bring you
my favorite products of the holiday season. Be sure to follow me on Facebook,
NICHOLAS TROBIANO, and Instagram, @nicholastrobiano, for photos, stories, and
maybe a couple other surprises.

xx Do the things you are passionate about; Learn from ones
who inspire you; Strive to become an expert at what you do xxBinzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

Friday, December 9, 2016

Combining avant-garde aesthetic and traditional Scandinavian
minimalism, Filip Bjernebo’s South Lane Stockholmaccessories label pulls
together his inspirations from travelling the world. As such, the latest AVANT
collection propels the brand into the world of high fashion, redefine the
meaning of a true cosmopolite.

The 28-year old Swedish designer grew up in Sweden,
then moved to the UK and now resides in my hometown of Hong Kong.
In 2008, he launched his first web-only accessories brand. Slowly it became
more elaborate as he traveled to even more destinations, and taking elements
from these places into his works.

The foundation of all designs contain Scandinavian
aesthetics (very clean and minimal), then propelled by details such as Parisian
architecture, the excitement of NYC’s urban flavor and East London’s
street-savvy vibes. The 2016 AVANT collection is comprised of 10 timepieces.
Because each watch plate is individually hand-scratched, resulting in a raw,
industrialized and avant-garde detailing, hence each one is considered ‘unqiue’
and ‘one-of-a-kind’.

Currently, Bjernerbo’s collection can be found in department
stores, such as Harvey Nicols, Luisa Via Roma, and many boutiques in Europe,
USA, Asia and the Middle East.

xx Do the things you are passionate about; Learn from ones who inspire you; Strive to become an expert at what you do xxBinzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

Monday, November 28, 2016

Hey friends! As many of you who follows my social media will
know that I will be relocated very soon. In the midst of my packing and moving,
I still have to shop for my friends and family this holiday.

Shopping during the busiest season of the year can be
overwhelming especially over traffic and parking. Well Calgary, CrossIron Mills will get that all
covered. Between November 25th to December 26th
(exception December 25th) Saks
Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH at CrossIron will have the 2016 Holiday Shopping Shuttle up and
running. The shuttle will pick up guest at the following three locations:

To make your travel more convenient and enjoyable, the
48-seats shuttle is equipped with Free WiFi, priority seating for seniors and
disabled passengers and 7 TV screens. The shuttle cost only $5 ($10 round trip)
– definitely worth it for all the hassle you save ‘beating the traffic’.

On November 3rd 2016, Hudson’s Bay x Saks Fifth Avenue kicked off the holiday season with an incredible
window unveiling. This is the first time such an event takes place at the
shared entrance to Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue at CFToronto Eaton Centre.

In addition to the special
appearance of John Tory, Mayor of
Toronto, Richard Baker, Governor and
Executive Chairman of HBC, Jerry Storch,
CEO of HBC, Liz Rodbell, President
of Hudson’s Bay and Marc Metrick,
President of Saks Fifth Avenue, perhaps the most exciting of the evening was
the special music performance by the legendary Mariah Carey! Wearing a gown by Anna Maier, Mariah performed two holiday hits that evening before
the unveiling ceremony.

Hudson’s Bay’s iconic holiday
windows include five distinct windows along Queen Street. Inspired by the
spirit of an Enchanted Forest, the
windows portray scenes of a winter wonderland filled with 34 hand-sculpted,
cheerful holiday animals, with over 350 sq ft of LED walls to enhance each
vignette.

On the other hand, Saks Fifth
Avenue’s holiday windows take audience to a Land
of 1000 Delights – An enchanting landscape of colorful candy and festive
fashion. The windows display scenes set in fantasy music boxes, containing
hand-painted mannequins twirling atop wind-up pedestals. Each of the nine
mannequins wears a one-of-a-kind handmade costume featuring a confectionary
hoop skirt made of giant candy canes, gingerbread men, cakes and icing, or
hundreds of hard candies, among others.

xx Do the things you are passionate about; Learn from ones who inspire you; Strive to become an expert at what you do xxBinzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

I had the opportunity to take the
latest 2017 Lincoln MKZ for a ride
to the beautiful Canadian Rockies past weeked. If you have checked my IG stories last week, you probably have
watched my review. The latest edition has many amazing features that speak the definition
of what a modern, powerful and yet ‘quiet luxury’ means. Can we first talk
about the seat massage function? And the ability to sync your smart phone and
answer text messages from there? I am particular drawn by its safety features,
which you’re the vehicle goes to ‘park’ itself if you forgot to do so before
turning off the engine. Let’s not forget to talk about the biggest sun roof
you’ll find in any luxury car this size – It was perfect for star gazing in the
middle of the blue-nuit night at high altitudes. I am also amazed how it
performed on fuel (~9.9L/100km). Here are the rest of the specs:

MKZ Reserve AWD, 3.OL GTDI TC V6 Gas Engine, 6-Spd Auto
Trans 6F55

Exterior:

Daytime running
lights

Glass, solar tinted

Grille, chrome
surround

Headlamps, H.I.D

LED tail lights

Mirror driver
autodimming

Miirrors, duel power
heated folding with memory

Interior:

Ambient lighting

Blis with cross
traffic

Floor mats, premium

Seats, 1st/2nd
row leather

Seats, front
heated/cooled

Seats, front/rear,
heated

Seats, rear 60/40
splt fold

Illuminated scuff
plates

Steering wheel,
tilt/eles

Sirius sat radio w/6
mth pre-paid subscription

Functional:

Abs, power 4-wheel
disc

A/C, duel zone
electronic

Advance trac sability
sys

Easy fuel

Electr stability
control

Embedded modem

Engine block heater

Intelligent access

Lincoln drive control

Mykey

Navigation

Remote vehicle start

Steer WHL, with audio
control

Sync*3

10.1” LCD cluster

Safety/Security:

Latch child
restraints sys

Personal safety
system

Securilock

SOS post crash alert
syst

Tire pressure monitor
sys

Airbags, driver and
pass

Air bags, side

Warranty:

4 yr/80,000 km basic

6 yr/110,000 km
powertrain warranty, roadside assistance 24 hr

xx Do the things you are passionate about; Learn from ones who inspire you; Strive to become an expert at what you do xxBinzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

Thursday, October 20, 2016

The beauty of the blogosphere
allows people to share a variety of topics they are knowledgeable about. Try
typing in any keyword or hashtag on Google and you are bound to find someone
somewhere writing about it.

To be honest, there are tons of
shit posts out there. With so many opinions and so many loud noises, one can
only take anything on the Internet with a grain of salt.

My definition of a ‘quality blog’
or ‘blogger’ perhaps is defined by consistency and info validation. Not only
they have to have their own voices, but should show they’ve done some
research and their opinions are backed with facts. Earlier this fall, I came
across an aviation blog – It’s very much different than what I usually read
about, but that doesn’t stop me from learning.

For the second Binzento’s Coffee Interview series, I
sat down with pilot Patrick B, who
also runs a successful aviation blog. The 28-year old pilot is
currently living in Barcelona and Berlin and is the First Officer for a private
aviation company. Taking passengers and flying them to all over the world has
also given him the opportunity to sight see many destinations. Now with his
expertise

Patrick’s blog entails his
technical knowledge about aircrafts, the aviation business and travel
adventures. With his day-to-day documentation and photos, whether it’s at the
airport, at the cockpit, or in a destination, we feel like we are flying with
him. Though I have almost zero knowledge about aircrafts, I have to say I’ve
learned a few things while following.

What makes you decide to become a pilot?

Who did not want to become a
pilot when they were young? It was definitely a process over many years, which
finally led to the decision of becoming a pilot. It is more than just a profession;
it is a passion for me. I could not imagine something cooler than an office
which takes to beautiful places. Additionally you get to meet interesting
people and you need sunglasses all year around!

For a more detailed answer check out my corresponding blog post.

What do you like most about flying?

Aviation is fascinating me over
and over again! Great technologies have been initiated in the former decades
and great inventions to come. Flying means for me that I connect places and
people in a minimum amount of time. This feels like freedom.You must have flown to many destinations in your career, which are your most
favorites, where do you want to travel next?

So far I have been flying within Europe, Russia and to some countries in North
Africa. One of my most favorite destinations is Lisbon. It is an amazing
city with so many good vibes. Lately I had a flight to Iceland for the very
first time. This was exciting since I have not flown this northern route
before. Unfortunately we did not stay overnight. But now it is on my travel
list. Next city I am traveling to is Vienna in Austria.

Tell us about your aviation/travel blog? When did you start it?

I am really proud of having my
own blog since this summer. It has been and amazing project and has been a lot
of fun but also a lot of work.

What do you hope to achieve in your
blog and the kind of message do you want to deliver to your readers and fans?

In the first place I want to
thank all my followers for the great support on Instagram with this blog! I
noticed that many of my aviators, that is how I call my followers, had a lot of
aviation related questions. In my opinion this is the best way to answer their
questions and to reach as many as possible to help them eventually with their
career.

Additionally I want to give a genuine in sight view of my life as a Private Jet
Pilot. The Business Aviation branch is still quite unknown and therefore really
interesting. Besides my travel advices I want to show that it is possible to
life a healthy lifestyle even when traveling as much as I do.

How would you describe you sense of
style?

It is a chic streetwear style. I
like to combine basic clothing with stylish accessories. I rather like to wear
dark clothes but I here in Barcelona I definitely dress differently. More
colors and a style which is related to to the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Do you have a particular fashion
designer(s) or label(s) you like most? and why?

Not in particular. I like to buy
clothes because I like them and not because it is a certain brand. For me is
the quality and the production location really important. Brands that I like
are for example. The Kooples. I like their fashion because it is classy and
modern at the same time. They pay a lot of attention to details and quality.
Diesel Black Gold is also a great brand because they pieces are sometimes
really high fashion but I do not like that they start to care less where they
produce.

Flying long hours could be energy
draining, how do you keep yourself motivated and healthy?

A big motivation is always to have
the best office view I can imagine. Even when it is grey on the ground I will
see the sun after departure. To stay fit I choose my food wisely and do enough
sports. The schedule during summer can be quite tight so I try to get up early
for a morning workout. Sometimes I convert my hotel room to gym and use my TRX
and do bodyweight exercises. 20 minutes can be enough. During duty I am usually
gone from home for a week, so I pack organic and healthy food in my suitcase. I
recently published a blogpost about me being a Foodie Pilot.

Want to share with us any upcoming
plans, projects or gigs you are working on?

My blog is still really young and I am looking forward to sharing some aviation
related posts and also about my private lifestyle. Next Sunday I will have my
very first interview with a big newspaper. Something absolutely new to me!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

It’s been little more than a year
since I sat down with Amy Darling, a film producer and friend, over a cup a
coffee. I remember our last coffee date was shortly after we attended Cannes
Film Festival in 2015, and even this time we still discuss about our crazy
experience and berserk schedule we had that year.

Our coffee talk was more than
just a ‘catch-up’. It was about congratulating Darling’s upcoming screening of
her film VIOLENT on October 13th
2016 in Calgary. “Yes, it’s finally happening”, said Darling as we tried to comfort ourselves with warm cups of coffee in our hands while watching the snow
fall through glass windows.

VIOLENT is a Canadian-Norwegian film created by Vancouver-based
band We Are The City, and the
project coincided the band’s album of the same name at the time. The film
follows Dagny Backer Johnsen, a young woman longing to escape small town life
and move to the big city. While in the city, her mother arranges her to work
for a family friend. At the midst of a catastrophic event, Dagny recalls recent
memories of the five people who loved her the most.

With a small budget and team,
which sometimes consists of less than 5 people at a time during shooting,
VIOLENT conducts beautiful imageries and exercises the magnificent natural
landscape of Norway.

What is interesting to me is that
even though the film is mostly in Norwegian, none in the crew speaks the
language. And because of it, there is that raw connection between the audience and
the film; knowing beforehand this is a Canadian production from people close to
home and yet having the sense of curiosity perceiving the story as a foreign
tale.

The film has received critical acclaim by many film critics. It has been shown
at Cannes Film Festival in 2014, and won numerous international awards
including Best Feature Film at Leo Awards, Best Canadian Feature Film at
Vancouver International Film Festival and Canada’s Top Ten at Toronto
International Film Festival.

Darling’s commitment and
expertise as a producer to this project played a big role in the international
success of this film. It’s her passion to facilitate a vision for incredible
talented Canadians, especially for people like the guys in We Are The City, who
took the project entirely outside of Canada. One of her goals is to bridge the
gaps between Canada and the rest of the world. “I want to reinvent what we
think of Canadian films,” said Darling, “I am interested in Canadians working
on international projects and foreign language films”.

For someone like myself who work
for the fashion industry would understand, being a part of Calgary’s art and
culture scene seems forever challenging. As a filmmaker, Darling has a
different perspective: “Calgary is the forth largest film centre in Canada.
Work as a filmmaker here proven to be difficult since we are less diverse and
smaller community. There are advantages though, such as no one can hold you
back, and no one would tell you ‘no, you can’t do this’. I try very hard to
stay here as I feel I owe everything to this city. Calgarians here have a
unique, quality of life where they can fly and travel wherever they want. When
I’m in a big city, I feel like you always have to fake it till you make it, but over here people come to up to you to
show their support. I feel grateful when people come up to me and say they’re
‘happy for you’ or ‘proud of you’. It makes finishing a film even more a
triumph.”

I certainly agree to Darling’s
analogy of staying in Calgary to pursue something you enjoy doing. I also owe
this city a great deal when it comes to support. Having a big vision for a
place with a niche market is not easy, but the success coming out of it is ten
times more rewarding. It feels like you are one of the pioneers that drive the community
forward. Like Darling, we both think that the “just do it” mentality influenced
by the root of this place is the culture that gave way to Calgary --- I picked
up my cup and took another sip of my light roast and Darling bit into her
expensive eight-dollar ham and cheese croissant.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

First I like to thank Hayden
Pattullo from Style Out Here
for sharing the images from this event. You can also read his recap of
PARKluxe here.

Past weekend was PARK’s annual Canadian fashion show – PARKluxe 2016, presented by Bankers Hall. Many aspects of this
year’s installment have triggered my attention. Let’s begin with the things I
liked.

The first thing to mention is the location – at the newly builtStudio
Bell – Home of the National Music Centre. It’s indeed an ambitious choice for a local organization such as
PARK to host a fashion show housing hundreds of guests in a multi-level venue. We
need to appreciate the fact that they are the only organization in Calgary that
consistently produced fashion shows seasons after seasons, providing a platform
for local fashion talents to showcase. And we need to give them credits for their
tremendous effort trying to execute something better each time.

Live music performances for the
runway show - was a great component to include at this year’s PARKluxe event,
and I am glad that they did it. From band sound to classical music, each presenting
collection was enhanced by an additional artistic element.

Like many PARK fashion shows, the
pop-up shop/trunk show is fantastic. This is the part where I feel designers
have the opportunity to make real connections with consumers. On top of that,
it’s great to see other local businesses

Paul Hardy’s finale was the most
sophisticated of the evening. A showcase mixed with classic gothic Lolita-vibe,
dark draped dress and fur stole, with modern knitwear cardigan and large chain
accessories. Each model was holding a ‘monster’ plush doll, which reminded me
of something coming out of a Tim Burton tale. Though you could see some of the
looks were incorporated with pieces we had already seen in the past.

I thought the lingerie portion by
Year Of The Ram was out of place. As much as we try to appreciate the
designer’s handcrafted lace and under garment details, the fitting was just off
and you could sense the models not completely comfortable walking in them.

Overall PARKluxe was a success
what they set out to do. The execution of the program was great, but I can’t
say this season’s show was amazing. Big part of it was because I felt the
collections showcased by the designers were a big déjà vu.

Recently I gave some thoughts
about the Canadian fashion industry, especially after having conversations with
buyers, designers and editors in other parts of the globe. In Canada, we are still
running the formula that fashion shows are parties that rely heavily on ticket
sales. We have to be diligent about the purpose of having these shows. I am not
saying that we shouldn’t have any, but we need to clearly define what the end
goal is – Is it for press, or for entertainment, or something to do on a
regular night and be seen, or help designers to generate business?

We have designers that are
showing the same pieces for, at least, the past three seasons. But I can’t
blame them – the fashion community is extremely small here and I feel that
Canadian talents are lacking the institutional and general public support to
sustain. Until we are able to ignite interests from buyers to come to these
Canadian shows, designers are better off doing made-to-order, local pop-ups and
spend more time to strengthening their brands via e-commerce.

xx Do the things you are passionate about; Learn from ones who inspire you; Strive to become an expert at what you do xxBinzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog